Given the popularity of remixes in the modern day, it’s no surprise that there have been some amazing takes on classic tracks over the years. From catchy rap remixes to electronica-fused versions, these are some of the best song remixes of all time.
What is a Remix?
Simply put, a remix is when a producer takes an original track and “remixes” it. This could involve adding new beats, changing the tempo of the song, or weaving in samples from other tracks. Remixes are often used to freshen up existing songs and give them a more contemporary feel.
What is a Remix Artist?
Remix artists are producers who specialize in creating remixes of existing songs. They usually have an extensive knowledge of music production and are able to take a track and transform it into something entirely new. Remix artists often collaborate with the original artist to create something truly special.
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Best Song Remixes of All Time
Mike Posner – I Took A Pill In Ibiza (Seeb Remix)
“Mike Posner's “I Took a Pill in Ibiza” was first released as a single in April 2015, and it quickly became popular all around the world. The song had an acoustic guitar-based sound and was praised by music fans and critics alike. Soon after its release, Norwegian production duo SeeB gave the song a remix that featured on both Posner's second EP ‘The Truth' and his second studio album ‘At Night, Alone'.
The intriguing title of the song is a reference to the island of Ibiza. Known for its party scene, just what kind of pill would Posner be taking there? Eventually, it was revealed to be MDMA, also known as ecstasy or molly. Although the lyrics seem to suggest that it didn't turn out too great for him in the end, Mike still managed to create an amazing piece of music from this experience.
Elton John, Dua Lipa – Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)
“Cold Heart (Pnau remix)” is a collaboration between English singer Elton John and English-Albanian singer Dua Lipa, produced by Australian trio Pnau. Officially released on 13 August 2021, the track became John's first United Kingdom No. 1 single in 16 years. Although it was nominated for Song of the Year at the 42nd Brit Awards and ‘PRS Most Performed Work' at the 2022 Ivor Novello Awards – both of which it ultimately lost to “Easy On Me” by Adele and “Bad Habits” by Ed Sheeran respectively – the track did manage to win Top Dance/Electronic Song at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards.
OMI – Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Remix)
“Cheerleader” is a hit single from Jamaican singer Omi that was first released in 2008. Working alongside the legendary Jamaican producer Clifton Dillon, OMI crafted the song's melody over a number of years and eventually recorded it with veteran session musicians Sly and Robbie and Dean Fraser. After debuting on independent label Oufah, the song quickly became popular in Jamaica where it shot to the top of the charts, as well as gaining significant airplay in Hawaii and Dubai. Subsequently Ultra Records commissioned two disc jockeys to create remixed versions of “Cheerleader”, with one remix by German DJ Felix Jaehn being chosen by both the label and producers as their preferred version.
The song features a reggae-style beat with bright melodies composed on electronic keyboards, supplemented by horns, steel drums, and percussion instruments such as bongos. Lyrically, “Cheerleader” is a lighthearted ode to finding love when all hope seems lost – an uplifting anthem that has been embraced all around the world. In spite of its humble origins, it has achieved international recognition; amassing more than 500 million views on Youtube and reaching number one in more than twenty territories including Germany and France. It has also been covered by various artists including Coldplay frontman Chris Martin for BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge series.
Kygo, Whitney Houston – Higher Love
Music fans were blessed with a collaboration 30 years in the making – Whitney Houston and Kygo‘s cover of Steve Winwood's 1986 No. 1 hit, “Higher Love”. It was a masterful blend of an iconic voice and a contemporary star, combining Whitney's legendary vocal power with modern production from the Norwegian DJ. The recording was made possible thanks to vocals recorded by Houston in 1990, showing that her unmistakable talent would continue to live on long after her passing.
The success of the single is due in large part to the hard work of Pat Houston, Whitney's sister-in-law and estate executor, and Primary Wave Music & Marketing. Together they have captured the attention of fans both old and new alike by reminding them why they fell in love with the late singer in the first place. With the recent achievement of becoming Whitney's first posthumous Hot 100 hit since her death in 2012, it is clear that their efforts have paid off immensely.
The release of “Higher Love” has been a welcomed reminder of Whitney's incomparable talent as well as an opportunity for a new generation to listen to her artistry. After this incredible show of support from her fans over three decades later, there is no doubt that she will remain one of our greatest icons forevermore.
Mr. Probz – Waves (Robin Schulz Remix Radio Edit)
“Waves” is a popular song by Dutch singer and rapper Mr. Probz that has been a huge success all around the world, thanks to a remixed version produced by German DJ and record producer Robin Schulz. Since its release in April 2014, “Waves” has topped the charts in many countries such as Austria, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. It was sent to US dance radio stations by Ultra Music on the 14th of April 2014 and has been one of the most successful singles of that year. In fact, it was the fourth best-selling song of 2014 in the UK with more than 800,000 copies sold! The remixed version is characterized by an upbeat rhythm and catchy melody that have made it irresistible for listeners worldwide. Despite its success, some music experts say that Mr. Probz's original version was even more powerful due to its slower pace and heartfelt lyrics.
Bastille – Pompeii (Audien Remix)
Back in January of 2014, 22-year-old producer and artist, Nate Rathbun – better known by his stage name Audien – released a remix of the popular song Pompeii by Bastille on SoundCloud. Little did he know that within just a few months, his remix would become one of the most beloved tracks at two of the biggest electronic music festivals in the world – Electric Daisy Carnival and Coachella. According to 1001 Tracks – an online database, which stores and measures tracklists from all over the world – it was even one of the five most played songs at Tomorrowland! Without any doubt, this allowed Audien's career to take off as he began to get more recognition for his craft. Nowadays there have been millions of plays for his track online and it's become a fan favorite remix for many people. It's amazing what started with a simple remix uploading on SoundCloud can lead up to; Audien has since gone on to become an established producer and artist with various releases ranging from singles, EPs, collaborations with other artists as well as festival performances all around the globe.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Heads Will Roll (A-Trak Remix)
“Heads Will Roll” is an upbeat indie rock song by American band Yeah Yeah Yeahs from their 2009 album It's Blitz!. Written from the perspective of the Queen of Hearts in Lewis Carroll's classic tale Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, this track was released as the second single from the album and quickly became a fan favorite. On June 29, 2009, a CD and 7-inch vinyl version of the single were made available in the UK.
A popular remix of “Heads Will Roll” by Canadian DJ A-Trak has been used as part of the soundtrack for Project X, a 2012 comedy movie. The single has become extremely popular on streaming platforms such as YouTube – it has over 166 million views. Critics have praised its upbeat nature and catchy melodies – plus, they love how it captures some of that classic whimsical feeling from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Even today, this song continues to remain a staple of many indie music playlists all over the world.
Lorde – Tennis Court (Flume Remix)
After what has felt like a lifetime, Flume's “Tennis Court” remix is finally coming to streaming services. The Australian producer recently discovered an old laptop he had assumed was lost forever, which held many of his unreleased tracks including the legendary remix of Lorde's song. It just so happens that this discovery has come at the perfect time to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of Flume in two days – allowing us finally to get access to the remix alongside other rare records from the artist.
This news was presented by Brownies & Lemonade and we can't help but be filled with excitement for all the amazing music that will soon be released. As Flume fans, we've been patiently waiting for this moment for years and now it's here. We're sure everyone is eager to hear these new sounds from one of electronic music's most renowned artists.
SAINt JHN – Roses (Imanbek Remix)
Zeikenov (Imanbek) had only been producing music for a short time when he decided to take one of his favorite songs and remix it. He amped up the tempo, added a pulsing bassline, and changed the pitch of the vocals beyond recognition. To his surprise, after sharing his work on a Russian social media site, it went viral overnight. This impressive feat was soon followed by an even more remarkable achievement—in August 2019, Zeikenov caught the attention of Russian label Effective Records and they offered him a contract. Working together with SAINt JHN's camp, Effective Records helped Zeikenov sort out the rights to make sure this remix could reach audiences everywhere.
The remix became a hit across TikTok and its popularity kept rising until it reached number one on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart in 2020. Thanks to its success, Zeikenov was nominated for a Grammy award in Best Remixed Recording category. It's been an incredible year for the 20-year-old producer who could never have imagined such an accomplishment when he first began creating music. His success story serves as an inspiring reminder that sometimes taking risks can lead to unexpected rewards.
Billy Ray Cyrus – Old Town Road (Lil Nas X Remix)
Lil Nas X is one of today's most promising rap stars with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. After gaining recognition through social media platforms like TikTok, he released “Old Town Road” which became an instant global sensation and topped multiple music charts all over the world. This collaboration between him and Billy Ray Cyrus serves as a reminder that it's never too late to take risks if you believe in something strongly enough. This joint venture marks an exciting new chapter for both artists that will surely bring many more success stories in the future.
Ellie Goulding – Lights (Bassnectar Remix)
When dubstep was all about bass drops and heavy drum beats, this remix truly stood out with its unique combination of Ellie Goulding's mesmerizing vocals and Bassnectar‘s ethereal soundscape. It gave listeners an entirely new experience, almost like they were completely immersed in the music. And it wasn't just the U.S. either – this remix quickly became popular worldwide and initiated a new appreciation for dubstep from fans around the globe.
Christina Aguilera – Beautiful (Benny Benassi Remix)
Fans of pop music icon Christina Aguilera rejoiced when the deluxe 20th anniversary edition of her groundbreaking album ‘Stripped' was released. This special edition featured new artwork, as well as bonus tracks from renowned Italian DJ/producer Benny Benassi. Taking the iconic single “Beautiful” to a new level, Benny Benassi's 2022 remix was an essential part of this collection.
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Tove Lo – Habits (Stay High) [Hippie Sabotage Remix]
“Habits (Stay High)” remixed by the American production duo Hippie Sabotage, which was alternatively known as “Stay High”, it was released on February 25, 2014 and served as the third single from their album Truth Serum. This remixed version became a massive hit – reaching number 13 in the Swedish Singles Chart, while also entering the top ten of charts in Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Netherlands and even the United Kingdom. It is believed that British singer Ellie Goulding had a major role to do with its success, given that she shared it through her Instagram account – leading to more people hearing it and appreciating its unique take on the original track.
Starley – Call On Me (Ryan Riback Remix)
Ryan Riback, an incredible South African-Australian DJ, has seen immense success globally with his remix version of a popular track. In December of 2016, his work topped Sverigetopplistan, the official Swedish Singles Chart and reached the top 10 in countries across Europe and Oceania including Australia, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and even the United Kingdom. His impressive accomplishment has caught attention from music lovers around the world and drawn widespread admiration for his talent.
The original “Call On Me” was released to radio stations back in 2015 and was quickly picked up by fans worldwide. Ryan Riback's remix version breathed life into the song and further propelled it to fame. The remix drew from various musical genres such as electropop and R&B making it a unique blend of sounds that dancable yet had a chill vibe. It also has simple but catchy lyrics that resonated with people of all ages who could relate to its themes of love and friendships.
Whitney Houston, Clean Bandit – How Will I Know
RCA Records celebrated the 36th anniversary of the iconic Whitney Houston’s 1986 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit “How Will I Know” with a special release. The celebration includes a new, joyful video for the Whitney x Clean Bandit dance remix of the song.
With this new version, fans can experience and enjoy Whitney’s classic hit in a whole different way. The remix creates an infectious beat that sets up perfectly for captivating choreography performed by dancers in different locations including in fields and on beaches.
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